
If you and/or your passenger release the
seat belt during driving, the seat belt
telltale  7 starts flashing and the
warning chime sounds as described before.
If the driver’s or the front passenger’s seat
belt remains unfastened after 60 seconds,
the warning chime stops sounding, the seat
belt telltale  7 stops flashing but
continues to be illuminated.
After a vehicle standstill, the warning chime
is reactivated and the seat belt telltale
7  is flashing again if the vehicle speed
once exceeds 15 mph (25 km/h).
The seat belt telltale  7 will only go out if
both the driver’s and the front passenger’s
seat belt (with the front passenger seat
occupied) are fastened, or the vehicle is
standing still and a front door is opened.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
( Y  page 300).
Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD), 
seat belt force limiter
The seat belts for the front seats and rear
outer seats are equipped with ETDs and seat
belt force limiters.
The ETDs are designed to activate in the
following cases:
R in frontal or rear-end impacts exceeding
the system’s preset deployment threshold
R in side impacts exceeding the system’s
preset deployment threshold on the far
side of the impact
R in certain vehicle rollovers
R if the restraint systems are operational and
functioning correctly, see “SRS indicator
lamp” ( Y page 36)
The ETDs for the front seats will only activate
if the front seat belts are fastened (latch plate
properly inserted into buckle).
The ETDs for the rear outer seats will activate
with or without the respective seat belts
fastened.
In an impact, the ETDs remove slack from the
seat belts in such a way that the seat belts fit
more snugly against the body. Seat belt force
limiters, when activated, are employed to
help reduce the peak force exerted by the
seat belts on occupants during a crash.
i The ETDs do not correct an incorrect seat
position or incorrectly worn seat belts.
The ETDs do not pull occupants back
toward the seat backrest.GWarning!
Pyrotechnic ETDs that were activated must be
replaced.
For your safety, when disposing of the
pyrotechnic ETDs always follow our safety
instructions. These are available at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The PRE-SAFE ®
 system has electrically
operated reversible pre-tensioners that do
not require replacement after activation.
Preventive occupant safety (PRE-
SAFE ®
)
GWarning!
The PRE-SAFE ®
 system is intended to reduce
the effects of an accident on vehicle
occupants who are wearing their seat belt
properly. Despite your vehicle being equipped
with the PRE-SAFE ®
 system, the possibility of
personal injuries occurring as a result of an
accident cannot be eliminated. Therefore,
always drive carefully and adjust your driving
to the prevailing road, weather, and traffic
conditions.
52Occupant safetySafety and security
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Unless you open a door or the tailgate within
approximately 40 seconds after unlocking
the vehicle:
RThe vehicle will be locked again.
RThe antitheft alarm system will be rearmed.
XGlobal locking: Press lock button : on an
outside door handle.
Selective setting 
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogram the SmartKey. Grasping the
driver’s outside door handle will then only
unlock the driver’s door and the fuel filler flap.
XSwitching on/off: Press and hold buttons
% and & simultaneously for
approximately 6 seconds until the battery
check lamp (Y page 73) flashes twice.
The SmartKey will then function as follows:
XUnlocking driver’s door and fuel filler 
flap: Grasp the driver’s outside door
handle.
XGlobal unlocking: Grasp any outside door
handle other than the driver’s outside door
handle.
XGlobal locking: Press lock button : on an
outside door handle.Checking SmartKey batteries
Example illustration: SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
XPress button & or % on the
SmartKey.
Battery check lamp : comes on briefly to
indicate that the SmartKey batteries are in
order.
If the battery check lamp does not come on
briefly during check, the SmartKey batteries
are discharged.
XReplace the batteries (Y page 309).
iYou can obtain the required batteries at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iIf the batteries are checked within signal
range of the vehicle, pressing button
& or % will lock or unlock the vehicle
accordingly.
Loss of the SmartKey
If you lose your SmartKey or mechanical key,
you should do the following:
XHave the SmartKey deactivated by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
XReport the loss of the SmartKey or the
mechanical key to your car insurance
company immediately.
XHave the mechanical lock replaced if
necessary.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to supply you with a replacement. For
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FunctionRecommendation/NotesKInterior temperature sensorLClimate control on/offiSwitches on the climate
control system. The indicator
lamp in button  ^ goes out.(Y  page 169)Notes on climate control
The climate control is operational whenever
the engine is running. You can operate the
climate control system in either the
automatic or manual mode. The system cools
or heats the interior depending on the
selected interior temperature and the current
outside temperature.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and odors
are filtered out before outside air enters the
passenger compartment through the air
distribution system.GWarning!
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled replacement interval. A clogged
filter will reduce the air volume to the interior
and the windows could fog up, impairing
visibility and endangering you and others.
Have a clogged filter replaced as soon as
possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the  A/C mode is deactivated
( Y  page 169).
GWarning!
Follow the recommended settings for heating
and cooling given on the following pages.
Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
i If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate the
interior before driving off, see “Summer
opening feature”  (Y  page  102). The climate
control will then adjust the interior
temperature to the set value much faster.
Deactivating the climate control 
system
GWarning!
When the climate control system is switched
off, the outside air supply and circulation are
also switched off. Only choose this setting for
a short time. Otherwise the windows could fog
up, impairing visibility and endangering you
and others.
XDeactivating:  Press button ^.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.XReactivating:  Press button Ã.
i
You can also press button  ^ on the
climate control panel.
If you press button  ¦ to reactivate the
climate control system, the defrosting
mode is activated.
Deactivating the rear climate control 
from the front
XDeactivating:  Press button ±.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.XReactivating:  Press button ±.
The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while the
engine is running and cools the interior air to
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A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants of
the vehicle will be established.
XDescribe the nature of the need for
assistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to tow
your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such as
labor and/or towing, charges may apply.
Refer to the Roadside Assistance manual for
more information.
Sign and Drive services (USA only):
Services such as a jump start, a few gallons
of fuel or the replacement of a flat tire with
the vehicle spare wheel are obtainable at no
charge.
iIf the indicator lamp in Roadside
Assistance button : is flashing
continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Customer Assistance
Center established, then the Tele Aid
system could not initiate a Roadside
Assistance call (e.g. the relevant cellular
phone network is not available). The
message Call Failed appears in the
multifunction display.
XTerminating calls: Press button ~ on
the multifunction steering wheel.
or
XPress the respective button for ending a
telephone call on the COMAND system.
Information button 
XOpen the front armrest storage
compartment (Y page 193).
XPress and hold Information button : for
longer than 2 seconds.
A call to the Customer Assistance Center
will be initiated. The indicator lamp in
Information button : will flash while the
call is in progress. The message
Connecting Call will appear in the
multifunction display and the COMAND
system is muted.
When the connection is established, the
message Call Connected appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will
transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and
location (subject to availability of cellular and
GPS signals).
i The COMAND system display indicates
that a Tele Aid call is in progress. While the
call is connected you can change to the
navigation menu by pressing the NAVI
button on the COMAND system. Spoken
commands are not available.
A voice connection between the Customer
Assistance Center representative and the
occupants of the vehicle will be established.
Information regarding the operation of your
vehicle, the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center or Mercedes-Benz USA products
and services is available to you.
For more details concerning the Tele Aid
system, please visit www.mbusa.com (USA
only), log in to “Owner’s Online” and visit the
“My Tele Aid” section to learn more.
202Useful featuresControls in detail
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Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.GWarning!
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that safe
braking is substantially impaired. This could
result in an accident.
!  Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Only conduct operational or performance
tests on a two-axle dynamometer. If such
tests are necessary, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. You could
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system or the transfer case which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!  Vehicles without 4MATIC:
Because the ESP ®
 operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position  0 or
1  or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position  0 or  1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer
or the vehicle is being towed with one axle
raised.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!  Vehicles with 4MATIC:
Because the ESP ®
 operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position  0 or
1  or KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in
position  0 or  1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Such testing should be no longer than 10
seconds.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If your brake system is only subjected to
moderate loads, you should occasionally test
the effectiveness of the brakes by applying
above-normal braking pressure at higher
speeds. This will also enhance the grip of the
brake pads.GWarning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) ( Y page 63).
High-performance brake system 
The high-performance brake system is only
available on ML 63 AMG.
GWarning!
New vehicle brake pads and disks, and
replacement brake pads and disks may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until that
time, you may need to use increased brake
pedal pressure while braking. Please be aware
of this and adjust your driving and braking
accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive high-demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition
messages in the multifunction display.
Especially for high-performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
The high-performance brake system is
designed to operate under the extremely high
operating demands required to
accommodate the performance capabilities
of the vehicle.
246Driving instructionsOperation
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sequence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction
exists. When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of
incompatible replacement or alternate tiresor wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
Lamp in center console
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and  M SolutionsCanada only:
42
The front passenger
front air bag off
indicator lamp
illuminates and
remains illuminated
( Y  page 47).A BabySmart TM
 child seat is installed on the front passenger seat.
Therefore the front passenger front air bag is switched off.The system is malfunctioning when there is no BabySmart TM
 child
seat installed on the front passenger seat.XHave the system checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Canada only:
42
The front passenger
front air bag off
indicator lamp does not
illuminate or does not
remain illuminated with
a BabySmart TM
 child
seat properly installed
on the passenger seat.The system is malfunctioning.XMake sure there is nothing between seat cushion and child seat.XCheck installation of the child seat ( Y page 58).
If the front passenger front air bag off indicator lamp remains out:
XHave the system checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not use the BabySmart TM
 restraint to transport children on the
front passenger seat until the system has been repaired.
USA only:
42
The front passenger
front air bag off
indicator lamp
illuminates and
remains illuminated
with the weight of a
typical adult or
someone larger than a
small individual on the
front passenger seat.The system is malfunctioning.XHave the system checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.XRead and observe messages in the multifunction display and
follow corrective steps ( Y page 272).What to do if …305Practical hints164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 305Z 

LED rear lampsType:Backup lamp: W 16 W;Rear foglamp (driver’s side only):
W 16 W
=Rear foglamp (driver’s side only):
W 16 W
License plate lampsType:License plate lamps: C 5 WNotes on bulb replacement
! Do not replace LEDs or bulbs not
described in this section. You could
otherwise damage the LEDs, the bulbs or
parts of the vehicle. Only have the LEDs and
bulbs replaced at an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
ROnly use 12-volt bulbs of the same type and
with the specified watt rating.
RSwitch the lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.
RAlways use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.
RYour hands should be dry and free of oil and
grease.
RIf the newly installed bulb does not come
on, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iMercedes-Benz recommends using
Longlife (LL) bulbs.
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a front
lamp, do the following:
XSwitch off the ignition.XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
$.
XOpen the hood (Y page 212).Replacing bulbs313Practical hints164_AKB; 7; 31, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-09-11T12:07:36+02:00 - Seite 313Z